Broncos pre-season news: Kevin Walters reveals Reece Walsh facing battle for fullback spot

Broncos coach Kevin Walters has refused to guarantee Reece Walsh Brisbane’s No.1 jersey. Get the latest from the Broncos pre-season training here.

Jesse Arthars says he wants to claim a spot at centre for 2023. Pic Annette Dew

Kevin Walters has lifted the lid on the burgeoning battles for starting spots in the Broncos’ spine next season with Selwyn Cobbo’s shadow looming large over Reece Walsh’s claim to the No.1 jersey.

Walters is adamant the race for the starting fullback role remains wide open between Walsh, Cobbo and Herbie Farnworth – and backs Ezra Mam to be a “2-300-game player” for the Broncos in a clear sign he remains ahead of Jock Madden for the No.6 jersey.

Walsh has hit the ground running in his Red Hill return, impressing teammates and track watchers with his communication and intensity during the pre-Christmas training period.

However he hasn’t had the fullback role to himself, with Cobbo stealing regular starts at the back as Walters plays with the idea of unleashing the Maroons flyer in his preferred role at some point next season.

The 20-year-old looks to have added even more size to his impressive frame and is quickly evolving into a Greg Inglis clone, which will have his coach rubbing his hands and rivals in a sweat.

Then there’s Farnworth, who remained in England after the World Cup and will rejoin his Broncos teammates at training in the New Year.

Selwyn Cobbo during Brisbane Broncos training from Red Hill. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“You might notice at training Selwyn slots in there (at fullback) because we believe he’s got a big future there as well,” Walters said.

“Primarily he’s on the wing but in the future we see him as a centre and possibly a fullback, so it’s about getting the reps in.

“Herbie – we can’t find Herbie, he’s in England somewhere. When he gets back to training next year we’ll give him some reps in that position as well.”

But for now the No.1 looks to be in Walsh’s keep and Walters has been impressed with the 20 year old’s output since his return from the Warriors.

“Reece is still only a young footballer and learning about the NRL, but he’s been a great acquisition for us,” Walters said.

“His voice has been strong and he’s quite a strong character as well, so that’s been a positive for us. His energy around the place is very infectious … his combinations he’s working in with our spine has been really positive, both in defence and attack.”

Walsh’s raking left boot will add a different dimension to the Broncos’ kicking game next season and Walters is acutely aware of the attacking chess piece he has at his disposal.

It also takes some of the kicking pressure off of Mam, allowing the second-year No.6 to focus on what he does best, which is to wreak havoc at the line.

Mam has packed on five kilos in the off-season and worked hard to improve the defensive aspects of his game. He was sent home after the Broncos’ disappointing end to the 2022 season with a checklist from Walters and has systematically started ticking those off, much to the coach’s delight.

It puts him firmly ahead of Madden in the halves pecking order, with the former West Tiger seemingly being groomed for the future as an Adam Reynolds replacement.

“Ezra showed us last year he has the talents to be a good, long-term player for us in the six jumper. Jock is here to learn and get better off Adam and also all of the coaches, and we’re very excited to have those three talented guys in the side,” Walters said.

“Ezra is 13 games into what we believe is a 2-300 game career. Has he learned from last year? He certainly has. He’s bulked up – he’s another one with a lot of energy around the place (and) he knows where he needs to get better.”

Kobe Hetherington could be sidelined until at least Round 5 with a biceps injury. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Meanwhile, Walters confirmed Kobe Hetherington’s biceps injury would likely rule the 23-year-old lock out for the first month of the season.

The third-year Bronco signed a contract extension in October to the end of 2025, but will be out for “14-16 weeks” according to Walters, after going in for surgery on Wednesday.

“He’ll miss the start of the season which is disappointing for him. He’s in great shape, put on a few kilos and (is) looking strong, which was his priority through that pre-season,” Walters said.

“But he’s a tough guy so he’ll recover well and we’ll get him back after round two or three, somewhere around there.

“It’s just one of those things with training … we push our guys very hard as all clubs do and unfortunately sometimes the body doesn’t respond how you’d like it.”

As for Tesi Niu’s mooted swap to the Dolphins, Walters said nothing had changed since the club granted the Tongan international permission to talk with rival clubs and he was expected back at the Broncos in the New Year.

RETURNING BRONCO READY FOR POSITIONAL FIGHT

Jesse Arthars has declared his NRL future is in the centres and welcomed the challenge of usurping one of his Test international teammates and a future star to make it happen.

Arthars made the call after the Broncos received a massive double boost in one of their final training sessions before the Christmas break.

Both captain Adam Reynolds and star prop Payne Haas made appearances at Tuesday’s session, days after sending injury scares through the camp.

Reynolds trained in-full and looked untroubled by the leg injury he picked up last week, while Haas joined the group for the majority of the session as he continues rehab on an ankle sprain.

It was initially feared captain Adam Reynolds suffered a serious ankle injury at pre-season training. Picture: Jerad Williams

Meanwhile, Arthars, 24, who has returned to Red Hill after a 12-month loan stint at the Warriors, finds himself in a familiar position – stuck behind Kotoni Staggs and Herbie Farnworth for a starting spot.

In Staggs and Farnworth the Broncos boast one of the most potent strike pairings in the NRL and it was for that reason Arthars was shipped to the Warriors, to build form and experience in first grade.

“Being a Kiwi kid (the Warriors) was the team I followed when I was young, so I got to go back to New Zealand to see my family who I hadn’t seen for a while – it was a really exciting time for myself and my family,” Arthars said at training on Tuesday.

“The competition here at the Broncos is very high and I knew that when I was here (but) I think that’s good for the whole club, competition for spots. Obviously they’re my good mates and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

He’s returned to Red Hill with Reece Walsh in tow and immediately set his eyes on adding to his 17 games in a Broncos jersey, though is acutely aware of the task ahead.

Staggs is back at pre-season with the Broncos after being forced to miss the World Cup with Tonga due to injury, however English international Farnworth will not be sighted until the New Year.

However an added wrinkle in Arthars’ plan is the presence of Deine Mariner – the young gun who was recently in the spotlight over an alleged poaching attempt by the Dolphins to tempt him across town.

Arthars is looking to cement a place at centre on his return to the Broncos. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Mariner got a taste of NRL action last season playing in two games and Broncos coach Kevin Walters has already prophesied more first grade minutes for the Palm Beach Currumbin product in 2023.

But Arthars is adamant it’s at centre that he sees his NRL future and he’s ready to stake a claim for a starting spot at one of the deepest position groups in the competition.

“I used to play fullback in the younger grades but I don’t think I’m fit enough to play fullback anymore, so I’m just trying to build into being a starting centre – that’s the position I really want to lock down,” he said.

“For sure Kotoni and Herbie are very good centres in this competition and it’s great to have them at the club. For someone like me, Dela (Delouise Hoeter) and Deino (Mariner) we all want to learn together and compete against each other and make each other better players.”

When Arthars agreed to the short-term move to the Warriors he first consulted Harry Grant, who famously returned to the Storm following a similar stint at the Wests Tigers which set the platform for his rise to superstardom.

Though injury hampered his time with New Zealand it was still a fruitful campaign for Arthars, who scored five tries in 12 appearances including a double against the Broncos early in the year. He said there was never any doubt over a return to Red Hill despite the position battle that awaited him.

“Obviously I had a deal in place to come back so I was always going to honour that,” he said.

“I really love this club, I have a lot of good mates here and I really enjoy the culture and what Kevvie is trying to build.

“I was here in the tough times so I want to be here when we start winning.”

Originally published as Broncos pre-season news: Kevin Walters reveals Reece Walsh facing battle for fullback spot